Elevator-control apparatus



'Jan. 3, 1928.

4 H. L. UNGERER ET AL I ELEVATOR CONTROL APPARATUS Filed March 13. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR I Jan. 3, 1928.

H. L; UNGERER ET AL ELEVATOR CONTROL APPARATUS Filed March 13. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS Wm Patented Jan. 3, 1928.

UNITED 3 TATES PATENT OFFICE.

HOYVARD L. UNGERER AND DAVID VJ. HUGHES, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ,ASSIGNORS TO ELEVATOR SUPPLIES CGMPANY, 1150., OF EIOBQKEN, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

ELEVATOR-CONTROL APPARATUS.

Application filed March 13, 1926.

his invention relates to control apparatus for elevators and particularly to elevators electrically controlled, whether such control is centered in the car or at the various landings along the hatchway in which the. car travels.

An object of the invention is to provide safety interlocking means whereby (except in case of emergency, such as fire) the car cannotbe started away from any landing unless and until all hatchw-ay doors are closed and mechanically locked in closed position; andfurthermore to render it impossible to reopen, or even to unlock, any hatchway door until the car reaches the landing where such door is located and stops.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for locking the hatchway door in open position while the car is at rest at any landing; thereby removing the obligation from the operator, (or, in the case of passenger controlled elevators of the socalled push-button type. from the passenger using the elevator), of holding the same open during the period it takes for the passengers to get in or out.

This arrangement is particularly appropriatewhere the doors are of the self-closing type. When our novel apparatus is applied to doors of this type, the release of the openposition lock on the corridor door allows the door to close, and lock in the closed position; after which the car'will. be free to move to another landing.

Our invention is equally applicable in the absence of power means for closing the doors. with the exception that in such a case it will be necessary for the operator of the car to close the door after removing the lock. In the preferred embodiment. however, the doors are intended to be self-closing, so that removal of the open-position lock. closure of the doors, locking the doors in closed position and completion of the safety interlock circuit will be accomplished by a single initial act oi the operator: in addition to which. if desired. the control of the car may also be centered in the same mechanism, so that movement away from the landing will follow automatically upon the completion of the "foregoingoperations.

Gther objects and advantages to be oh Serial No 94,409.

tained by the use of our novel apparatus will be apparent as the description progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 shows an elevator and hatchwav with our invention applied thereto.

fig. 2 shows the interlocking mechanism as it appears when the elevator is opposite a landing with the corridor door in the open position.

Fig. 3 shows the same with the corridor door in closed position.

Fig. e is a plan view ing in Fig. 3.

Figure 5 is a larger view of some of the parts shown in Figdl.

Referring to Fig. 1, reference character 1 of the parts appeardesignates the elevator hatch in which car 2 is adapted to travel; a landing along said hatch being indicated at 3, and the corridor door for the landing at Our novel interlocking apparatus, indicated generally by numeral 5 in this figure, is shown mounted in the preferred location, namely, on the landing door sill 6. H

In cases where the elevator is equipped with a door similar to door 4, this interlocking apparatus. if desired, may also be placed on the sill of the elevator; but inasmuch as the construction and operation is the same for any door, and involves a mere duplication of parts. we have considered it suflicient for thepurposes of this disclosure to illustrate the apparatus at only one door, namely the door 4. I

As shown in Fig. 1 the landing door 4 is in closed position. the car 2 being in motion and descending toward landing position or the door 4. pawl 7. located on door i in the proper position for the purpose. engages ratchet teeth 8 on the sill mechanism 5 holding the door firmly locked in closed position. as will be more clearlv apparent as the description progresses.

ITear the other end of the sill mechanism is located a pro ecting member designed and placed so as to be normally clear of the path of elevator 2. but so as to be engagedby a transversely movable member on the elevator when the latter member is projected. The projecting member of the sill mechanism is shown in the preferred embodiment In this Fig'. 1 while the car not intended that as a rocker arm, as illustrated at 10 in the drawings, with a roller 11 at the outer end. The transversely movable member on is preferably an elongated flat sided shoe, or as it is more commonly termedin the cam, art, this cam being designated by numeral 12.

Obviously the relative arrangement and construction of the cam 12 and the roller 11 can be varied without departing from the scope of my invention, but as shown in the drawings, I prefer to mount the cam 12 so that it will be held in the position shown in is in operation, in which position it clears roller 11; so that if it is ing 3, no engagement between these two parts will occur as the car passes by.

' If, however, it is desired to stop thecar 2 at landing- 3, cam 12 will be caused to project into engagement with reller 11, with the following consequences: The pawl 7 will be released from its engagement with teeth 8,

. therebybreaking the electric circuit to the car hoifting motor (in a manner to be de rcribed) and permitting the door 4- to open to discharge or take on passengers.

I Door t will be held locked in the open position (by means which will hereinafter be described) until such time as the car operator or user elects to start the car away from landing 3; at which time cam 12 will be retracted again to the position shown in Fig.

'ings to show comprising in. .sulated base 16, free to rock to some small 4:, block li"; being of a solid metallic construction while block 1-1 is hollow. In tact block 1 1 is in reality a box standing on edge, the cover being; removed. in the drawthe interior, in which is mounted a circuit making and breaking device its preferred form an inextent in its fastenings as illustrated, a pair 1 of thin sheet metal contacts 17, and a roller 18- rotatably mounted in jaws 19, 19 on switch arm 20, these jaws being made of insulating material,

'To' each of the vertically disposed spring metal contacts 17 (which are adapted to grip roller 18) is secured a conductor, as shown at 21 and 22, these conductors leading to terminal block 23, thru which point the circuit to the elevator controlling motor pastes. An inspection of Figs. 2 and 3 will show that this circuit is made when switch the car I the car shall stop at landarm 20 is in the position snown in Fig. 3, but broken when the arm is in the position shown in Fig. 2. Arm 20 is pivoted at 21 to box 14, and, except when restrained as in Fig. 3, normally iL'LSUHlQS the position illustrated in Fig. 2 due to the over-balancing weight to the left of the pivot point 24, as indicated at Integral with arm 20, and upstanding therefrom is a substantially right-angled lug 26, the horizontal or nose portion of which,

as indicated at 2? in Figure 3, is adapted from bar 29,

to ride on pin 28 projecting of which will an explanation of the purpose hereinafter appear. m I

Bar 29. is arranged to lit loosely in. a groove in the upper portion 31 ofthe rear wall of her; 14., and is loosely held in place preferably by means of two pins 30, 30, extending thru the wall 31. Suitable slots are placed in bar 29 to allow passage of pins 30, 3O therethrough', the slot for the lefthand pin 80 being shown at 32 in Fig. 2. As illustrated these slots extend diagonally along har29, thereby allowing upward and outward movement of the bar with respect to box let, from the potition shown in Fig. 3. The means for producing; this upward and outward movement will be described shortly.

On the opposite end. of sill mechanism is a bar 3 1 similarly slidable in groove 35 in blocl: 13 by means of two similar pins and slots, the only diiierence being that in bar 3 1 the diagonal slots extend upwardly in the reverse direction, as indicated at 36 in Fig. V V Y The preferred means whereby movement of roller .11 (due. to engagement of cam 12 therewith) causes the d ig'onal movements of bars 29 and 3% in. opposite directions will now be described, but it is to be understood that other mechanisms maybe eniployed for accomplishing the'objcct. roje'cting' from arm v1!) and loosely threaded thereto is a -T-head boltg-asindicated a- 36 in Fig. 4.. In the head of this belt is drilled a hole thru which rod 38 is inserted for sliding"movement therein. Very little relative movement between arm 10 and. rod 38 can take place, however, because the two are held substantially rigid by means of nuts 39, 4:0 threadedon rod 38. 1 Con'iequently movement of one will impart corresponding: movement to the other.

At its other end rod passs, thru a hole in another guide, (also a T-l "l bolt in the preferred construction, as shown at 39). This bolt 39 is secured to yoke 40. Yoke 40 serves to retain bar .34. which is pivotally secured thereto by means of bolt 39, which extends through the yoke. By this means movement of arm 10 to the right from the position of F1 g. 3 to the position of Fig. 2

will cause corresponding downward and inward movement of bar 34 from of Fig. 3 to that of Fig. 2.

Slidably mounted in bearing i. a connecting rod 43 which, near its left-end, passes thru a hole in the lug 44c which depends from yoke 40. At the right-hand end rod 43 is supported in a similar manner from yoke 45 which is pivotally secured to bar 29 in the manner indicated.

Rod 43 thus forms the connecting link between bars 29 and 34, causing these bars to move in unison upon the actuation of roller 11. Suitable means, such nuts so to 50, are provided for positioning the rod with respe ct to the two yokes 40 and 45. Nuts 4-6 to -48 serve the additional purpose of prov iding the means for adjusting the tension on spring 51, the latter being compressed when roller 11 is thrown by cam 12 to the position of Fig. 2, and also serving to re store the roller to the position of Fig. 3 when the cam is retired.

. Spring 52, the tension on which is adjustable by means of nuts 40" and 58 is provided on rod 38 as a further resistance to the movement of roller 11, but due to its location this latter spring serves to prevent overtravel of the roller 11 rather than to resist the routine operation of the roller. Consequently, in the position shown in Fig. 2, spring 51 only has been materially compressed; but if, for any reason, a greater push were exerted against roller 11, spring 52 would begin to compress, thereby resisting this extraordinary force, since it is obvious from an inspection of Fig. 2 that bar 34, (and hence yoke 40) is positively restrained from any further movement to the right, by reason oi the limitation imposed on the movement of the said bar by the length of slots 36 in which the fixed pins previously described are inserted.

The means provided for engagement ot the locking mechanism with the door 4 will now be described. Atthe outer end of each of the bars 29 and 34 is placed a device for limiting the travel of pawl 7, hence the travel of door't, to which the pawl is connected by means of plate 15. This device also serves to positively direct the pawl 7 in its locking function, and comprises in each case an F- shaped casting consisting of two horizontal members 55 and 56 and the supporting vertical member 57.

The upper member has on its under surface a beveled portion 58 which aids in directing the application of pawl 7 against ratchet teeth 8 and nose 27 when the shoul der 59 of pawl 7 comes into engagement therewith as the door reaches its fully closed position. Just prior to this, however. pin 60 secured to pawl 7 near the lower end or the same, strikes the similarly beveled portion 61 on lower member 56; which lower memher is so positioned with respect to pin 60 the position that when bar 29 is in the. lower posit-ion as shown in Fig. 3 the pin just clears the under surface of the member 56, as shown best in Fig. Consequently, since pin 60 is socured to pawl 7, the member 56 serves to prevent any upward movement of the pawl, thereby insuring that the pawl (hence the door) will remain in this (door closed) position until released by actuation of roller 11 in the manner previously descri ed. Furthermore, since the pawl sits upon the nose 2? of switch 20 in this position, it will be obvious that the circuit therethrough will remain closed until roller 11 is actuated.

Projection of roller 11 to the right, when it is desired to open the door, will cause upward and outward movement of bar 29, and consequently of members 55 and 56, in the manner heretofore explained. This will per mit open ng movement of door 4, since bar 29, then being in the position shown in Fig. 2, will raise pawl 7 above the level of teeth 8, so that the latter will ride along the bar until clear of the same.

On clearing bar 29, pawl 8 will drop to a central disposition with respect to pivot 62 due to the force of gravity, which disposition it will maintain until it strikes bar 34 in its leftward movement. From this point it will ride along the bar and over teeth 63 on block 13 until pin 60 strikes the lower member 64. of the left-hand F-shaped member, which is in every respect similar in construction to the right-hand member justdescribed, and which fulfills a similar function; namely, the locking "of pawl 7 against ratchet teeth 63, and consequently. the locking of the door in the full open position.

The door will remain in this locked position until it is desired to close the same. when cam 12 will be retired, permitting spring 51 to return the parts to the position of Fig. 3, in which position the door is free to close and will close and lock in the manner already described.

In practice a plurality of ratchetteeth 8 are provided as shown. as an extra sateguard. but obviously only the inner pair are brought into use for locking purposes in the door closed position. In the door open position, however, the plurality of teeth is an advantage, because they serve to lock the door open even though it did not quite travel to its full open position. But in the door closed position it is necessary that the door travel the full distance. 'l'or otherwise no em cult is made through the interlock switch roller 18.

An) of the well-knmvn means for con trolling the alternate projection and retraction of cam 12 may be employed, but Fig. 5 shows my preferred construction, the type illustrated in this figure being known inthe art as the torque motor control, and being lllll described and illustrated in connection with magnetically controlled door operation for elevators in patents to Norton Nos. 1,545,164: and 1,557,309, issued on July 7, 1925,'and Oct. 13, 1925, respectively.

As shown in Fig. 5 there is connected to the outer end of bell crank lever 90 (which lever is pivoted centrally to plate 91 attached to the car frame) a chain or cable 92 which is held taut when motor 94 is energized by virtue of its being wound around the shaft of crank arm 93, geared to the.

shaft of motor 94.

While it ,is to be understood that our interlocking mechanism may also be operated by a manually controlled cam, nevertheless the magnetic control of the type just re ferred to is preferable, particularly for use with push-button elevators, which require no operator in constant attendance.

VVh-en used with this type of elevator, the operation is as follows:

When it is desired or permissible to move the car away from the landing, the magnetic device 94 is energized, thus withdrawing the cam 12from' engagement with roller ll and releasing the open-position lock, thereby permitting the door t to close, the safety switch arm to make contact, and the car to move away.

As is obvious, the mice of the motor 94 which is normally energized while the car is moving, is to hold the cam retracted during such time, and then to free the same for projection by spring 95 or other device when the car is at the selected landing, through interruption of the charging circuit of the motor by any desired means, such as for instance the means commonly employed in the operation of a push-button system of elevator control. Projection of the cam removes the door lock and breaks the safety circuit, allowing the door to open and the intended user of the car to enter and assume control thereof, repeating the-operations just described.

Other constructions, arrangements, and adaptations of our novel mechanism may be made by persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of our invention, as disclosed herein, and as defined in the appended claims.

Ive claim:

1. In an interlocking mechanism for elevators in combination with a car and a hatch therefor. a 'door in said hatch, a device in the hatch positioned to restrain movement of said door from the fully open position, means (on the car) for releasing said restraining device and permitting the door to close, a control circuit for the car, a switch in said circuit, and means to close said switch operated by a member movable with said door.

2. In aninterlocking mechanism for elemechanism, and

vators in combination with a car and a hatch therefor, a door in said hatch, a device in the hatch positioned to restrain movement of said door from the fully open position,

means (on. the car) for releasing said restraining device and permitting the door to close, a control circuit for the car, in said circuit, and means to close said switch and lock said door in closed position operated by a member movable with said door.

3. In an interlocking mechanism for elevators in combination with a car and a hatch therefor, a door in said hatch, a ratchet device in the hatch, a pawl on" the door engaging said ratchet device to lock the door inclosed position, a control circuit for the car, a switch in said circuit, and means operated in response to the engagement of said pawl and ratchet device to close said switch.

4. In an interlocking mechanism for elevators in combination with a car and a hatch therefor, a door in. said hatch, a control circuit for the car, a switch in said circuit, a ratchet device in the hatch, and a pawl on said door engaging said switch and ratchet device in the closed position of said door.

5. In an interlocking mechanism for elevators in combination with a car and a hatch therefor, a door in said hatch, a control circuit for the car, a switch in said circuit, a ratchet device in the hatch, and a'pawl on said door engaging said ratchet device in the open position of the door.

6. In an'interlocking mechanism for elevators in combination with a car and a hatch therefor, a door in said hatch, a pair of ratchet devices in the hatch, and a pawl on said door engaging one of said ratchet devices in the open position of said door, and engaging the other of said ratchet devices in the closed position of said door.

7. In an interlockingv mechanism for elevators in combination with a car and a hatch therefor, a door in said hatch, a control circuit for the car, a switch in said circuit, a pair of ratchet devices in the hatch. and a pawl on said door engaging one of, said ratchet devices and said switch in the closed position of said door.

8. In an elevator control apparatus, in combination with a car and a hatch therefor, a door in said hatch, a, means to prevent reverse movement of said door when the latter is in open position, comprising a ratchet magnetically controlled means to release, said ratchet mechanism. I

9. In an elevator control apparatus. in combination with a car and a hatch therefor, a door in said hatch, aolocking means engaging said door when the latter is in the closed position, a control circuit forsaid car. a switch in said circuit, means for removing said locking means and simultaneously opening said switch, a ratchet mechanism a switch llll for locking said door in the open posit-ion, and means cooperating with said ratchet mechanism for maintaining said switch in the open position. j

10.. In an elevator control apparatus, in combination with a car and a hatch therefor, a door in said hatch, a locking means engaging said door when the latter is in the closed position, a control circuitfor said car, a switch in said circuit, a transversely movablemember on the car operable to remove said locking means and open said switch when the car is adjacent said door, a ratchet mechanism for locking said door in the open position, and means to release said ratchet mechanism prior to the closure of said switch.

11. Inan elevator control apparatus, in combination with a car and a hatch therefor, a. door in said hatch, a pair of ratchetmechanisms for governing the movement of said door, and means for simultaneously op erating said ratchet mechanisms.

l2.-In an elevator control apparatus, in combination with-a car and a hatch therefor, a door in said hatch, a pair of ratchet mechanisms for governing the movement of said door, and a transversely movable element on the car for simultaneously operating said ratchetmechanisms.

13. In anelevator control apparatus, in combinationwith a car and a hatch therefor,-a door in said hatch, a control circuit for said car, a switch in said circuit, and a plurality of ratchet mechanisms governing the movement of said door and switch.

14. In an elevator control apparatus, in combination withacar and a hatch therefor, a door in said hatch, a control circuit toisaid car, a switch in said circuit, a plurality of ratchet mechanisms governing the movement of said door and switch, and a movable element on the car for actuating said ratchet mechanisms.

1 5. In an interlocking; mechanism for elevators, in combination, an elevator and a hatchztherefor, a. door for ingress to and egress from said elevator, and locking means for said door comprising an element on said door, and mechanism mounted in the hatch and positioned to engage said element to prevent closing movement of the door when the door is in the opened position, said mechanism further operating to prevent opening movement of the door when the latter is in its closed position.

16. In an interlocking mechanism for elevators, in combination, an elevator and a hatch therefor, a door in said hatch and locking means for said door comprising an element movable with said door and co-opcrating mechanism in the hatch, a part of said mechanism being positioned to engage said element to prevent reverse movement of the door when the door is fully opened,

and another part positioned to engage said element to prevent reverse movement of the door when the latter is fully closed.

17. In an interlocking mechanism for elevators, in combination, an elevator and a hatch therefor, a door in said hatch, locl'- ing means for said door comprising an element movable with said door and co-operating mechanism in the hatch, a part of said mechanism being positioned to engage said element to prevent reverse movement of the door when the door is fully opened, another part positioned. to engage said element to prevent reverse movement of the door when the latter is fully closed, and means on the elevator for removing said. element from its engagement with said mechanism.

18. In an interlocking mechanism for elevators, in combination, an elevator, a door for. ingress to and egress from said elevator, means to prevent a closing movement of said doorwhen the latter is in open position, comprising a ratchet mechanism and a pawl for engaging said ratchet mechanism, and means for preventing operation of the elevator while said pawl is in on gagement with said-ratchet mechanism.

.19, As a subcombination in a locking mechanism for elevator doors, an elevator and a door for entry thereto and exit therefrom, a sill for said door, a pair of locking devices on said sill, and means on said door for engaging one of said locking devices in the open position of said door, and en: gaging the other of said locking devices in the closed position of said door.

20. As a sub-combination in a locking mechanism for elevator doors, an elevator and a door for entry thereto and exit therefrom, a sill for said door, a pair of ratchet mechanisms on said sill, and a pawl on said door forengaging one of said ratchet mechanisms in the open position of said door, and engaging the other-of said ratchet mech-' 'anisms in the closed posit-ion of said door.

21. As a sub-combination in a locking mechanism for elevator doors, an elevator and a door for entry thereto and exit therefrom, a sill for said door, a pair of ratchet mechanisms on said sill for alternately restraining movement of said door, and means for simultaneously operating said locking devices.

22. As a sub-combination in a locking mechanism for elevator doors, an elevator and a door for entry thereto and exit therefrom, a sill for said door, a pair of locking devices on said sill for alternately restraining movement of said door, and a single operating means for said locking devices.

28. As a sub-combination in a locking mechanism for elevator doors, an elevator and a hatch therefor, a door for entry thereto and exit therefrom, a pair of locking deher from operating members try vices in said hatch for alternately restrainingmovement of said door, and means for placing one of said locking devices in position to prevent opening movement of said door, said means further operatingto simultaneously render the other locking device ineffective to prevent closing movementot sa d door,

24. As a sub-combination in a locking mechanism for elevator doors, an elevator, a door-tor entry thereto and exit therefrom, a pair of locking devices for alternately restraining movement of said door, comprising a member on-said door and a pair of comovable into thepath 01" said first-named member, and means 1 for movind one of said co-operating members into the path of said first-named member, said means further operating to simultaneously w thdrawthe other co-op'erating member.

25. In an elevator control apparatus, in combination, an elevator and a door for en-' try thereto and exit therefrom, a control circuit for said elevator, a switch in said jcircuit, means for alternately restraining movement-ot said door comprisinga pair of-lock.

ingdevices, and meanstor placing one, of

said locking devices in'position to'prevent closing movement of said door, said means furtheroperating to simultaneously release ment of said door comprising a'pair of locking' devices, and means said locking devices in position to prevent opening movement of saiddoor,

said means further operating to simultaneously close saidswitch and r ender theother lockingdevice ineiiective to prevent closing movement of said door;

the path 01 said first-named memtor placing one of:

27QIn an elevator control apparatus, in

combination, an elevator and a door for entry thereto andexit'therefrom, a control cir-v cuit for said elevator, a switch in saidcir cuit, means for. alternately" restraining movement or said'door comprising a pairof ratchet'mechanisms, and means for placing one of said ratchet mechanisms in position to prevent closing movement of said door, said means further operating to simultaneously release said switch and render the. other ratchet mechanlsm ineffective to pre vent opening movement of said door.

28. in an elevator control apparatus, in

combination, an elevator and a door for entry thereto and exit therefrom, acontrol oir- GUli] for said elevator, a switch in sa d c1r-' cuit, means for alternately restraining movement of sald door 'compr smgfapmrof ratchet mechanisms, and means'for placingone of saidr'atchet mechanisms in posit on to prevent opening movement of said door, said means further ously closesaid switch and render the other ratchet mechanism inefiectiv'e to prevent closing movement-0t said door.

29. In an elevator control app'arat'uain combination with a. car and a hatch therefor, a door in said hatch, locking means said door and cooperating mechanism in' the hatch, apart of said mechanism being 'posi-f tioned to engagesaid element to prevent re verse movement of the door when the door is fully opened, said mechanism further operating to engage said element to prevent reverse movement" of the door when the lat- 't'er is fully'closedflock releasing means serving to disengage said" element from said hatch mechanism, a control circuit 'for the elevator, a switch in said circuit, and'means for opening said I switch simultaneously with the operation of said lock releasing means.

Signed at Hobokem-New Jerseyponit-he 11th day of March, 1926. q

. nowAnn L. UNGERER. 1 DAVID W. HUGHES.

operating to simultane for said door comprising aneleme'nt movable with 

